December Specials
Bosquet des Papes
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2021 Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge
The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Tradition is composed of 75% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and the rest other permitted varieties. It is pale ruby in color and opens with ripe aromas of cranberry, red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cedar, cloves and some herbaceous funkiness resulting from the partial whole-bunch fermentation. Full-bodied and enveloped in ripe tannins, this is a well-structured and distinctively elegant wine from the Boiron family.
Vinous Media
91 Points
Mas de Boislauzon
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2020 Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition
A delicious blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre composes the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It soars from the glass with fragrant aromas of crushed violets, raspberry, wild strawberry, blueberry, licorice and mint. Full-bodied and layered, it's polished and refined, with a juicy core of fruit and good persistence on the bright finish.
Vinous Media
92 Points
Fortia
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2020 Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition Rouge
The 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition is composed from a blend of 45% Grenache, 45% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. It showcases aromas of red and black fruits, tomato leaf and dried herbs. This full-bodied 2020 Tradition is marked by unrefined tannins and finishes rather short.
Vinous Media
87 Points
Le Vieux Donjon
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2022 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge
As is custom at this address, the 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent one year in old oak . Neatly blending 75% Grenache with 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault, it unwinds with notes of violet, forest strawberry, licorice, black cherry and graphite. Open-knit and inviting, the 2022 is gently framed by ripe tannins that won’t need as much time to mellow as in 2020 or 2019. Finishing on a savory note, this expressive Châteauneuf smoothly integrates its 15.25% alcohol and comes highly recommended.
Vinous Media
93 Points
Piancornello
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2019 Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino
Youthfully intense, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino entices with a dusty blend of dried black cherries, incense, dark chocolate and spice. This floods the palate with soft, enveloping textures and ripe red and blue fruits as violet inner florals resonate and fine tannins slowly collect toward the close. It’s incredibly long and potent, with a staining of primary concentration that lingers on as cedar and a bitter twang of tart cranberry fade slowly. Piancornello is back to form in the 2019 vintage. Nicely done.
Vinous Media
93+ Points
Siro Pecenti
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2018 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne opens with hauntingly dark florals and balsamic tones, as swirling brings about hints of black currant and crushed stone. This is supremely soft-textured, yet lifted by cooling minerality and bright acidity that guides its crunchy wild berry fruits across the palate. It tapers off with amazing length and potency, drenching the senses with primary concentration, as a framework of fine tannins gently tug at the cheeks. The 2018 Vecchie Vigne is a radiant Brunello in need of cellaring to fully blossom. That said, I don’t remember ever tasting a VV from Siro Pacenti with this much energy. I’m very eager to taste this again with some bottle age.
Vinous Media
94 Points
Uccelliera
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2019 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino
Brooding yet intense, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino bursts from the glass with a wave of autumnal spices, crushed cherries, cedar shavings and steeped plums lifted by pine hints. This is deeply textural, elegant and refined, with a dense wave of ripe wild berry fruits, all guided by vibrant acidity, offset by oranges and balsam herbs. It finishes grippy and extended with a black hole of tension and a sweet and sour sensation that lingers on and on as crunchy tannins resonate throughout. The 2019 is youthfully backward today, yet there's a balance that can't be denied, especially as I watched it open up over twenty-four hours. This is a total pleasure to taste. Bury the 2019 deep in the cellar.
Vinous Media
95 Points